Garnering the most votes was Burnt Rock Vanilla Porter, an installment in the Beau’s Pro-Am Series of beers created in collaboration with homebrewers. This beer was developed by homebrewer Patrick Boisvenue, and was originally released in January of this year.

The next three spots were won by Doc’s Feet Dubbel, a Pro-Am beer designed by Tim Gregory; Rudolphus VI, another Pro-Am edition crafted by Joey Kilbride; and Screaming Beaver Double IPA, a long-time favourite from the Wild Oats Series of experimental brews.

New batches of all four beers will be brewed in coming months, and the Best of Beau’s 2012 mixed pack will be released in November for the holiday season. It will be a limited run of packs containing four 600 ml bottles, and will available at select LCBO outlets throughout the province and the Beau’s retail store & delivery service, with an expected retail price of $24.

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Black Oak Nox Aeterna

Brewery: Black Oak Brewing, Etobicoke, ONStyle: Smoked StoutABV: 7%

Given that its name is Latin for “Eternal Night,” it’s fitting that this stout - which is brewed with coffee, oats and smoked malt - has a nearly black body with a dark brown cap. Coffee is by far the dominant element in the the aroma, supported by hickory smoke and roasted nuts. The flavour is moderately sweet to start, with dark cocoa and coffee notes that give way to wood smoke in the middle, and a slightly sour tone in the finish that provides a nice counterpoint. Could use a bit more body, but otherwise, it’s a very pleasant winter-friendly brew.